[ponyakr]

The LS dealer called & said he was waiting on a new LS to arrive at his dealership. And if it came, he's supposed to send a guy up here with it, Monday.

He didn't say where it was supposed to be coming from. I told him about the dealer in MS who said they had several. So, maybe he got one of their's. If it does get here, I'll probably ask where it came from. Don't know if he'll tell me or not.

So, we'll see what happens Monday.

At this point, I'll believe it when I see it comin up our driveway on the trailer.

Today I ordered a couple of loader bucket hooks. Never got around to putting any on the Kioti bucket. I found myself picking up & pulling lots of things with a chain wrapped completely around the bucket.

So, I'll put some hooks on the new tractor bucket, right away. Will make chain assisted lifts & pulls much easier & quicker.

Didn't want the kind I'd have to weld directly to the bucket. Bought some that are welded to a plate & are held on to the bucket with 2-bolts & a backing plate. Best price I could find was $30 for a pair, including tax & shipping.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/37375684165...MAAOSwCf1haPPw

There are several installation videos on YouTube. Looks like the main thing is to place 'em close to where the loader arms attach to the bucket, rather than in the middle. They say pulling on one attached to the middle could easily bend the bucket. One guy said he was gonna put 3 on his bucket, including one in the middle, just for light loads. I figure if the load is light, I could just use the hook on either side. I see no reason to put one in the middle.

This guy put some hooks on the double wall bucket of his NH. Had to get longer bolts. Did not have backing plates. Used flat washers. I may have to use longer bolts , also. But I'll use the backing plates.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gmH--Gn0NdQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGaSRFAmCrU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RMF8PsVs6yU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fV25lTLQL-0

[ponyakr]

So, if my dealer actually does come up with an LS MT225HE, I've read that it's recommended to replace oil, HST, & Hydraulic filters @ 50 hours. So, I'm starting now gathering info as to which filters to buy.

After using the LS brand part numbers, then crossing them over to popular brands, I've come up with some oil filter choices. There are several Wix/NAPA filters that should fit. The NAPA 1356 & 1357 are a little longer than the original, which should be good. All the specs look the same to me, except that the 1356 looks to have a thicker shell. Same price, so why not go with the thicker shell. The Motorcraft FL821 shows to be a fit. It's even a dollar cheaper. Anybody know of a reason why either of these would not be a good oil filter choice ?

https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/FIL1356

https://www.amazon.com/Motorcraft-FL.../dp/B000AS3D2O

A guy on a YouTube video said he used a longer HST filter than the original. This Donaldson is the one he used. Claimed it made the HST operate quieter.

https://www.amazon.com/Donaldson-kfP.../dp/B00KNIMGOM

For the Hydraulic filter, looks like the Wix 51715 is a good match. Best price I found was on Amazon.

https://www.amazon.com/WIX-Filters-S...3567068&sr=8-1

So, do any of you guys agree that these would fit & be good choices ?

Anybody disagree with any of the choices, or know for sure that any of 'em actually will not work on the LS MT225HE tractor ?

[Jack P.]

You can buy complete factory kits with all 5 filters on Ebay. It is mostly tractor dealers doing the selling. My complete kit was about $120. Then get the correct ASE oil from a place like Tractor Supply. This will keep your warranty without issues. Piecing a kit together to save a few dollars
may hurt you in the long run. JMO.

[ponyakr]

Originally Posted by Jack P.

You can buy complete factory kits with all 5 filters on Ebay. It is mostly tractor dealers doing the selling. My complete kit was about $120. Then get the correct ASE oil from a place like Tractor Supply. This will keep your warranty without issues. Piecing a kit together to save a few dollars
may hurt you in the long run. JMO.

So, are you saying that even tho the filters I listed may be better quality than the LS brand filters, if I use anything but the LS brand filters it will void my warranty ???

[ponyakr]

No tractor.

Dealer called & said it had ag tires on it. Not gonna buy one that doesn't have R4 industrial tires. I've used tractors with both. Gotta have the R4's.

Have no idea when he might get one with R4 tires. He don't either. My guess is that the only reason he was able to get another dealer to transfer one to him is because it has ag tires on it & they knew it would be harder to sell that way.

The R4 tires are very popular, because they are wider & don't tear up the turf as bad as the ag tires.

Oh well, until the grass/weeds grow up in late Spring, we could really get along without a tractor. Hey, as it gets closer to Spring, we might be able to sell the Kioti locally for more than the trade-in value & actually come out a little better.

We'll eventually get a new one. Looks like it'll just be later, rather than sooner.

[ponyakr]

Since the LS deal didn't work out, I am considering other options.

So far, I've pretty much eliminated most others, except these:

(1) New Holland Workmaster 25 HST. It's the same exact tractor as the LS MT225HE. An area dealer has a shuttle shift WM 25, for $19,500. Said if he had the HST version it would be $1000 more. That would be only $500 more than the LS price. I could live with that. BUT, they may not have one any sooner than the LS dealer will.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rk94-GD_wGk&t=8s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-gis5mHtA8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dWLdVJPrZd0&t=201s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SnwSsnHXhao

(2) Branson 2515H. An area dealer has one, but it's nearly $24k. Don't know if any other dealers have a better price or not. Can't pay that much.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NQ5R3u0uvBA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQ2SxrKaAhs&t=41s

(3) Bobcat CT2025. This appears to be the exact same tractor as the Kioti CK2610.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1pXwkXyubF4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E2ERj1Ee2as&t=215s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6JWABSTE-_E&t=179s

Have found some Bobcat prices that were lower than the Kioti. Haven't found any area dealers that have one in stock. The dealer that's 218 miles from me has one, for $20k. They also have free delivery. But, if warranty work is needed, according to the salesman, they'd charge at least $1 per loaded mile, to pick it up & return it. That would be at least $436, per dealer visit. And that price will probably go up each year.

https://www.brunospowersports.com/in...crmid=12687021

Until I took my 1st test drive on a tractor with HST, I had wanted only left side brake pedals. But, since I discovered that the tractor stops when the HST pedals are released, I see that the brake pedal BESIDE the HST pedals is OK.

That set-up also includes a left side clutch pedal for engaging the PTO. That means that I can engage it gradually, rather than hitting it hard by switching on an elec PTO switch. Can also stop the PTO by mashing the clutch pedal. I'm use to doing that. So, it might actually be quicker for me, than hitting the switch. May not be enuff time difference to make a difference.

Since searching for tractors, I have discovered that they have gone up as much as 20-25% on some models, since about 3 years ago.

Don't know if prices will come back down any, as dealers get more tractors on their lots, or not. Right now, most dealers in my area seem to be selling the popular compact tractors as fast as they can get 'em

[ponyakr]

Have talked to several salesmen today. Most say they are expecting the model I want any day now.

BUT, a few of 'em actually told me the truth. That truth is that their dealership has NOT received any of these models in MONTHS, & they have no idea when they will ever get any more.

One company rep told me that when they do get any in, they are going to buyers who have already paid a deposit & ordered one. He suggested that if I wanted one, I needed to come in & pay my deposit on one. NOT a CHANCE !!!!

Back in early 2020, we paid in advance for a frig, that NEVER came. They eventually gave us a refund & we had to almost force a store to sell us the floor model of another brand's model we liked.

So, we're not about to put a deposit down on a tractor that may or may not show up within the next 6 months.

A Branson dealer about 120 miles from us, currently has a price of $18, 995 for the Branson model I like. She said that price is good thru Feb. But she has no idea when they might get any of 'em in. All the dealers claim they have had several of the models we're considering ordered, for several months, without receiving a single one. I figure that the price will increase quite a bit, by the time these models are actually shipped to dealers. All the brands are probably gonna milk this for all it's worth.

The only brand I've seen lots of on dealer lots is the Mahindra brand. But, the only Mahindra we like is $5k too high for us.

It will be very interesting to me, to see how this tractor shortage unfolds as the year goes by.

https://www.agdaily.com/technology/l...emand-in-2022/

https://www.teamtractor.com/blog/low...?category=3354

https://www.mytractorforum.com/threa...worse.1361707/

[Formulabruce]

Hopefully your energy to own any tractor in your budget doesn't compromise
the quality and function of what you really need.
Right now there are Fuel surcharges on many items shipped.
Right Now Ports on the west coast are trying yet AGAIN to raise prices on empty
container storage which affect cost to ship FULL ones.
Right now Fuel oil is going up in price. This INCLUDES Bunker C used in Cargo ships
Right Now Home Depot is Commissioning their OWN Cargo Ship from Asia to try to avoid the increased delays and costs.
Right Now Kioti Parts for Implements made in Canada are NOT trackable and months delayed.
Dont "settle" for something just because its new or you can get it.

[ponyakr]

"...Dont "settle" for something just because its new or you can get it."

Not gonna do that. If I was, I would already have the LS, with ag tires. But, whatever I get, I want the wide R4 "Industrial" tires.

Just discovered another LS dealer about 85 miles from me. To my surprise, he said he has an LS MT225HE tractor, with loader & R4 tires, in stock, & it's $500 cheaper than the one the other dealer has, which has the ag tires on it.

I talked to the biz owner today about a possible trade. He said he doesn't like trades. The only way he'll trade is to 1st "shop it around", to some of his contacts. Then he'll offer on trade exactly what he can get for it. He doesn't put it into his inventory, then try to sell it.

Said he didn't much like the 1st offer he got, but is seeking other offers. Said he'll let me know Monday what he can do.

I only need about $10k trade allowance. I figure it should be worth at least $11k retail, probably a little more in Mar & April, especially if there continues to be this severe shortage.. The guy at Tractor House said his price charts show a max of about $13.5k. So, he suggested that I use that number for an asking price, in my ads.

Have had several inquiries from the ads I placed yesterday. But, so far, nobody has shown up to check it out. For most, tractors & lawn mowers are NOT on their mind, right now. In my area, the cold weather is on most people's mind.

Hey, if I hold out for a good cash sale, before buying, there might not be any of the models I'd consider, available, OR, by then the prices may have been jacked up out of our reach.

Therefore, if this dealer will trade for $10k difference, I'll probably jump on it. Remember, we've seen this model & checked it out, at the assembly plant. We both liked it. Of course, I'll go take a test drive, BEFORE buying. Hey, there COULD possibly be something about it I don't like, which only a test drive will reveal.

If we agree that the LS is a good choice, but we can't do a trade with this dealer, I MAY offer the 1st dealer a thousand less, for his ag tire equipped LS. That will give me $1000 towards some R4 tires & rear wheels.

From the prices I've seen, so far, $1000 won't even come close to buying brand new rear tires & wheels. But, Ive found some take-offs & slightly used tires, for less than $400 each, shipped. The new wheels look to be over $400 each. So, the best price I've found, so far, is around $1600, or a little more.

Might be able to find a better price on some take-off wheel/tire combos. BUT, so far, I haven't found out what the bolt circle & center hole size is, for the LS tractor. Could have measured the b.c. at the assembly plant. Didn't think about that. Will try to get the measurement when I test drive the LS.

Below is a chart which shows the 6-hole 170mm b.c. & 135mm center hole of 17 Kubota L-series models. That's the same pattern my Kioti has. So, do any of you guys have one of these Kobota models, so you can verify what the rear b.c. is ?

[Formulabruce]

I have found in this tire question that the R4's are less money than the R 1 Ag tires.( purchased on the tractor)

[dhutton]

The diameter of the front tires needs to be correctly matched the rears on a 4WD tractor. I don’t think you can simply swap the rear to R4 and leave the front ag. Apologies if that is not what you were proposing to do.

Don

[ponyakr]

Originally Posted by dhutton

The diameter of the front tires needs to be correctly matched the rears on a 4WD tractor. I don’t think you can simply swap the rear to R4 and leave the front ag. Apologies if that is not what you were proposing to do.

Don

Yeah I had thought of that.

BUT, then I checked some published specs on both the ag & R4 tire diameters.

They don't make sense to me. Both the ag & R4 rear tires show to be aprox 43" tall.

https://www.petestirestore.com/112x2...TL_p_6151.html

https://www.tires-easy.com/43-16.00-...irecode/570059

BUT, the 7-14 ag front tires show to be just over 27" tall & the 25 x 8.5 - 14 R4 front tires show to be only 25" tall.

https://www.millertire.com/7-14-carl...or-tire-6-ply/

https://www.speedytire.com/tires/bkt...UaApXOEALw_wcB

Therefore, IF that's correct, apparently that 2" diameter difference in the front tires does not make that big of a difference. ???

There are certainly R4 front tires available in lots of different diameters. So, why are these LS tractors shown to come with 43" tall rears & only 25" tall fronts ???

You guys that have the time, please check these specs with me & see if the numbers I've come up with are correct.

https://lstractorusa.com/tractor/mt225he-24-6hp/

https://www.tractorhouse.com/listing...40-hp-tractors

And, to confuse the issue even more, the turf tire option shows 41" tall rear tires, with 25" tall front tires.

So, these LS tractors come with 3 obviously different front to rear tire diameter differences.

So, is one of these 3 better than the other 2, for some reason ???

On this tractor, how much front tire diameter difference would make a big difference, enuff to cause damage of some sort ???

For example: Would a front tire as short as 24" cause damage ???

How about a front tire as tall as 28" ???

Would a 26" tall front be a better compromise ???

Just exactly how much difference does 1" or 2" in front tire diameter make ???

[dhutton]

I’m not an expert but the ag tire likely sinks lower into the ground giving it a smaller effective diameter.

One “rule” is to not use 4WD on dry pavement, perhaps for this reason.

I only use 4WD for short periods when needed.

The bigger the front to rear mismatch the more it will tear up turf when 4WD is engaged.

Don

[Jack P.]

I wonder if these tractors have different gear ratio's to match the different front and rear tires?

[Sirrotica]

If the system is full mechanical, I.E. 2 drive shafts front and rear differentials, transfer case, a tire mismatch wraps up axles. It actually twists axles so that jacking one wheel off the ground the wheel will spin once the tire leaves the ground until the wrap up equalizes.

The small front tires will also slip much easier than the rears to equalize the system. If your needing the 4X4 chances are your on a surface that will allow the front tires to slide on the surface you won't be wrapping up the drivetrain.

If half the system is hydraulic, and half mechanical, it's much more forgiving. 4X4 tractors many times have the front half powered by hydraulics, rear mechanical. Mismatch could overcome a by pass valve/pressure release valve to equalize the systems.

https://agtiretalk.com/ag-tire-size-...sions-options/

https://www.yesterdaystractors.com/c...talk&th=499752

[ponyakr]

Today, TJ & I went to check out 3 of the tractors that were on the list of possibles, for us.

2 of 'em were at the 1st dealer we went to, in Shreveport. I really liked the Branson 2515H. Hey, there was PLENTY of room. In fact, with the seat all the way back, I couldn't even reach the pedals. That model would be good for really tall guys.

BUT, when TJ got into the seat, even with it all the way forward, she could barely reach the pedals. In the lowest position, it was way too high for her. That was totally unexpected. But, I'm glad we discovered it. We have now totally eliminated the Branson from out list.

The other tractor they had there was a Kioti CK2610. It was GREAT, ya'll !!! With the seat forward it was perfect for TJ. And with the seat back, it was perfect for me. We could both reach the pedals very comfortably.

It had the loader stick by the fender, instead of on the loader. Had a clutch pedal engaged PTO, which allows gradual engagement, rather than the rather violent engagement with an electrically engaged PTO. Had a cup holder & the new "hybrid" tread tires.

We both loved it ! If we'd had the money we would probably have bought it on the spot. It definitely moved up to our #1 choice !!! It's nice, ya'll !!!

Next, we drove up to Benton, LA to an LS dealer. He had an LS MT225HE, with R4 tires. TJ & I both took a test drive. It fit her real good. The seat would not go far enuff back for me to be comfortable. I could drive it OK, with the HST foot pedals. But my left foot was up under the brake pedals on the left side. In order to apply the brakes, I had to pull my foot as far back as it would go, then lift it straight up & back down on the pedals. Not something I could do quickly or comfortably.

But, after thinking it over since then, I have decided that I could cut the left side brake pedal shaft, lower the pedal, & weld the 2 pieces of shaft back together.

This may sound ridiculous. But, it actually makes lots of sense. The lower position of that pedal would allow me to much more easily apply the brakes. AND, by leaving the right brake pedal the same length, TJ could still easily apply brakes as needed.

And, as I've only recently discovered, the HST tractors stop when you let off the forward & reverse pedals. So, brakes are not needed near as much as with manual trans tractors.

So, bottom line is that either of these 2 tractors will work for us just fine. The LS is our #2 choice. The New Holland Workmaster 25 is the same as the LS tractor. So, if it was the same price or cheaper, from an area dealer, it would be just as good.

Also, the Bobcat CT2025 is the same tractor as the Kioti CK2610. But TJ don't like the white color.

At the dealers we went to today, the Kioti was $2100 higher. $19.5k for the LS & $21.6k for the Kioti. TJ & I agreed that the Kioti is worth the price difference. Only problem is that the Kioti price is above the budget limit she set, UNLESS we can sell our Kioti for at least $11k, without the mower.

Best trade price so far is 10k. I figure it's worth at least 12k, in today's market, possibly a little more in Mar/Apr. But, in Mar/April, there may not be any of the Kioti's in stock anywhere, or the price may have gone up by then, in this crazy market.

But, unless/until somebody actually buys our Kioti, the trade deal is the best we've come up with, so far. That's the way it stands.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vfm0-owF6CA

[ponyakr]

Originally Posted by Jack P.

I wonder if these tractors have different gear ratio's to match the different front and rear tires?

I doubt that very seriously.

But, as always, I could be wrong.

[ponyakr]

Well, it hasn't been delivered yet. But, the deal is supposedly final.

The Kioti dealer agreed to take our Kioti in trade, for $11k difference.

That's only $1k more than the LS deal. After checkin 'em both out, TJ & I both agreed that the Kioti CK2610HST is WELL worth $1k more than the LS.

So, I chipped in the last $700 I had left from the sale of my last drag Bird & TJ will add $300 from her model horse painting money. They're supposed to deliver it tomorrow.

Maybe it will actually happen this time.

If it comes to pass, I'll post pics of it tomorrow.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FiX3nHu3Z4o&t=203s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oMybz4vskQU

[ponyakr]

That's right. A nice young man delivered our new Kioti & hauled the old one to the Shreveport dealership.

Hope the old one goes to a good home.

[ponyakr]

She got some good seat time & posed for a few pics.

She likes it ! Me too !

Has some nice new wide Good Year R14T "Sticker Tires".